Talib said after he signed with the Denver Broncos in March that he had a quad injury in 2013 that the Patriots reported as a hip ailment. Spikes said after he signed with the Buffalo Bills as a free agent that he was placed on injured reserve by the Patriots with a knee injury that merely needed “rest and rehab.”

Talib said the Patriots, who typically have a lengthy list of players on the injury report, “have their own way of reporting (injuries).” The team was criticized last season after it appeared that Tom Brady had injured his hand early in the season. Brady later was listed on the practice report with a “right shoulder” injury.